Bloglogo
Road Test: 2014 Nissan Tiida
Car Reviews

Road Test: 2014 Nissan Tiida

·
December 25,2013
·
5 min read

Tags:

When talking about daily drivers that take you from A to B, it is hard not to mention Nissan Tiida. This is one of the most popular hatchback models in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai and Northern Emirates, where it enjoys a 32% market share. When Nissan Tiida first launched in 2005, the competition wasn't that high. Now there are 25 models competing in this segment. So ofcourse Nissan had to come out all guns blazing at the launch event to protect it's leadership status. Is it good enough? Let's find out...

Style

The top trim 1.8 SL I drove came with 17 inch wheels which is impressive, considering neither Chevrolet Cruze nor 2014 Toyota Corolla get 17 inch alloys in the full options model. The front grille is a major improvement from the earlier Tiida, with top two trims getting 'smoke' chrome grille and 'smoke' color halogen lights. The shape contains lots of well designed curves, as is the trend these days. I particularly like the rising reverse swoosh character line running from the front bumper all the way to the rear wheels. It gives the car a much needed aesthetic appeal, particularly for a younger crowd that seeks a more sporty, contemporary look for their cars. Talking about style, it is interesting to note the Nissan Sentra also has a similar pricing range compared to the new Tiida and that car is a very good looking sedan as well, dare we say better looking than the new Tiida. Will that have a negative impact on Tiida's popularity? It remains to be seen. 

Interior

Interior Finishing

Compared to 2014 Kia Cerato for example, Nissan Tiida has superior finishing and material quality. The leather is soft, there is lots of soft touch material in the car and overall the cabin doesn't resonate with cheap plastic clicks and clangs. The door, steering and seats have good quality stitch lines and the material does have a premium touch to it. Among the cars that can qualify in the same league in terms of interior finishing will be Chevrolet Cruze and 2014 Honda Civic

Interior Features

My favorite interior feature of this car is the power sunroof which adds a lot of character in the drive experience. Not many hatchbacks offer a power sunroof and Tiida takes the lead here. It also added rear A/C vents which is a big bonus in Middle East heat. Many compact sedans and hatchbacks, for example Peugeot 301 and all new 2014 Toyota Corolla don't have rear A/C vents. Our test drive model also came with 5.8 inch multi information display with navigation, 6 speakers, power windows, keyless entry, push button start, rear window defogger, cruise control, rear parking sensors and rear view camera. It's a pretty good set of features at the top, better than most hatchbacks in the market. 

Safety Features

The Tiida doesn't score best in class on safety features, however the usual suspects are there, namely Brake Assist, EBD and ABS. I believe all trims should come with the same safety features as safety is an integral requirement for everyone. However Nissan does not agree, so all trims get two airbags but the top trim gets 6 airbags. 

Interior Space

The wheelbase of Nissan Tiida has been increased by 100mm which means more rear legroom and space overall. However in terms of boot space, it lags behind rivals. Boot space is 310 liters, which is 21 liters more than the previous Tiida. Is it enough to ward off rivals? Nope. The newly launched 2014 Toyota Corolla has 476 liters of boot space while Chevrolet Cruze has 413 liters. 

 

Drive Performance

The city drive experience was very smooth and it is one of the finest drive experiences in the hatchback category. The suspension is McPherson Stut and Torsion Beam and I found it to be quite decent on daily work-home commutes along Dubai or Abu Dhabi roads. Ofcourse the engine is a bit noisy due to CVT transmission, it is the only negative point I have in my drive analysis. Obviously with a smaller engine like 1.6 or 1.8 one can't really expect great power and acceleration, but for regular city driving where average speed is usually limited to under 120 km / hr, I found the drive to be quite pleasant. The handling is nifty and parking is easy thanks to the small size. Also, thanks to the lower and wider stance of the car, it is noticeably more stable on the road, particularly at higher speeds or when a speeding car passes by. 

Verdict

Priced between 59,400 - 71,300 AED, the Tiida has a lot of competition, particularly from Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Personally I feel the Nissan Tiida styling is good but a little too curvy for my taste. I like the interior finishing a lot and the electric sunroof is a great addition. The best part about Nissan Tiida? Definitely the drive. 

 

- Compare: Nissan Tiida vs Chevrolet Cruze vs Toyota Corolla

- Compare: Nissan Tiida vs Honda Civic

- Compare: Nissan Tiida vs Ford Focus

 

- 2014 Nissan Tiida Versions, Prices and Specs

- 2014 All Nissan Models, Prices and Specs

Images:

Got a comment? Post it below:


Do you want to sell your car for FREE?
We have everything that makes it easier for you to sell your car on our platform quickly
Sell your car 100% absolutely free on YallaMotor.
200+ Cars Sold Everyday.
115,000+ Satisfied Sellers.
500,000+ Monthly Buyers.
POPULAR TAGS

FROM THIS WEEK
Comprehensive Guide to Renew Your Driving License in Dubai
28 March 2024
|
Road Regulations
Infiniti QX80 2025: A Peek into the Future of Luxury SUVs
25 March 2024
|
New Launches
How to Sell Your Old Car Online in Dubai?
23 March 2024
|
Yallamotor Tips

Search more than 32,311 used cars in the UAE
Select Make
Select Model
Select Year

LOOKING FOR USED CARS INSTEAD?

OTHER USED CARS IN UAE